Data Points

Mortgage rates are scraping along near historic lows, Freddie Mac says in its latest survey of what lenders are offering to well-qualified borrowers. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.22% early this week, the same as the week before, and just above the 4.15% record low reached two weeks ago. (via LAT)

The Institute of Supply Management's purchasing managers' index came in at 50.6 for August, much better than economists were expecting. Readings above 50 indicate manufacturing is expanding, but the WSJ reports the number is down from last month, increasing concerns about a stalling global economy.

Jobless claims fell by 12 to 409,000 in the week ended Aug.27, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News projected a drop to 410,000, according to the median forecast.